The guy has shown more than Derozan in the short time he has been with us. What is the point of playing these guys, seeing them be successful at a high level, against teams like OKC that play stiffling defence and trading them for 2nd round picks that may never make your roster?

Wow, I knew the condition mattered, but I just figured with all the loopholes that you could trade a pick that is later than the conditions on the one currently being sent out to OKC, or with conditions for when that is traded away, like trading away their next available pick, which even with a year gap could've been 2015. I also didn't realize/remember the pick was protected until 2018!!!! Talk about not having confidence in your rebuild...Damn it Colangelo...

That's exactly why so many RR posters would love the Raps to finish 9th place this year, so that they give away the worst possible draft pick in an incredibly weak draft, while opening up future 1st round picks to once again be used as trade chips.

If the Raps do miss the playoffs and lose their 1st round pick in the 2013 draft, then next offseason (after the draft) they could theoretically trade their 2014 & 2016 & 2018 1st round picks, if they so desired. There are definite benefits to having the conditions surrounding the 'future 1st round pick' getting resolved sooner rather than later.

Here is AA playing better than both of them, and you guys want to swap him for second rounders. I seriously am starting to think that this fanbases addiction is POTENTIAL.

You've already admitted that you agree that Anderson is NOT in the long-term plans for the Raptors, which means he's potentially taking playing time away from any/all of DeRozan, Ross and Fields (forgetting about Kleiza and Pietrus entirely).

My point of view is about 3 things:
1. maximizing playing time for your younger players who will be part of the future (DD, TR, LF)
2. maximizing value of trade chips who aren't in future plans (AA)
3. turning 2nd/3rd string players who aren't in the future plans into something that could become a player who becomes part of the future core group (ie: draft picks, young prospects)

Trading AA has only been discussed in a package involving Gay, not second round picks in isolation. You're arguing against a claim nobody made.

I actually did say that in an earlier post, completely unrelated to Gay. I said that I would support trading AA while his value was at its highest, considering he's not in the long-term plans for the team.

I think Gay could thrive as a #1 option in a lineup with Lowry, DeRozan/Ross, Valaciunas and a legit starting PF (whether it's Davis or TBD)

I'm really not convinced of that. He has been given that chance in Memphis. Memphis had a team of Gasol, Randolph, Conley, Tony Allen and OJ Mayo until this year. You would probably argue he should be the #1 option there. He leads them in scoring, but he's hardly their key player. Their success depends on their bigs because they're more consistent. When Randolph was out last year, Gay didn't find a way to assert himself more and lead his team. It's not like he hasn't been given every opportunity to prove himself. They even made it clear they would expect more from him by letting Mayo go, and he hasn't been able to respond accordingly.

I actually did say that in an earlier post, completely unrelated to Gay. I said that I would support trading AA while his value was at its highest, considering he's not in the long-term plans for the team.

I would love Gay in a Raptors uniform, but I would rather have Millsap. I just don't see them being able to get both. Gay will eat a lot of that cap space up ($17M next season), and with their roster adding up to $59M in salaries next season, the Raptors would have to reduce a lot of salary to be able to get about $11/$12M under the cap to get Millsap.

$59M + $17M (Gay) = $76M
---> the cap is at $58M.. and say they raise it to $63M the Raptors would still have to shed $24/$25M so that they get about $11M under the cap and that does not include Jose's salary since it would already be off the books.

Even if they included DeMar in a trade, they still wouldn't have enough if they amnestied Andrea. They would have to create a wild 3 or 4 team trade that included both Andrea and DeMar, and then look to amnesty Kleiza.

I just don't see it happening.

Of course they could trade for Millsap and then use his Bird Rights to resign him. Something like this.

I'm really not convinced of that. He has been given that chance in Memphis. Memphis had a team of Gasol, Randolph, Conley, Tony Allen and OJ Mayo until this year. You would probably argue he should be the #1 option there. He leads them in scoring, but he's hardly their key player. Their success depends on their bigs because they're more consistent. When Randolph was out last year, Gay didn't find a way to assert himself more and lead his team. It's not like he hasn't been given every opportunity to prove himself. They even made it clear they would expect more from him by letting Mayo go, and he hasn't been able to respond accordingly.

No, I respect Memphis's decision to focus on their bigs, considering the advantage that the combination of Gasol/Randolph gives them. It's clear that Gay has been their #3 option, which is likely a big reason why his numbers aren't what they could be and why he is likely frustrated (especially when their home fanbase attacks him for not putting up bigger numbers, as if he were their #1 option).

I would love Gay in a Raptors uniform, but I would rather have Millsap. I just don't see them being able to get both. Gay will eat a lot of that cap space up ($17M next season), and with their roster adding up to $59M in salaries next season, the Raptors would have to reduce a lot of salary to be able to get about $11/$12M under the cap to get Millsap.

$59M + $17M (Gay) = $76M
---> the cap is at $58M.. and say they raise it to $63M the Raptors would still have to shed $24/$25M so that they get about $11M under the cap and that does not include Jose's salary since it would already be off the books.

Even if they included DeMar in a trade, they still wouldn't have enough if they amnestied Andrea. They would have to create a wild 3 or 4 team trade that included both Andrea and DeMar, and then look to amnesty Kleiza.

I just don't see it happening.

Of course they could trade for Millsap and then use his Bird Rights to resign him. Something like this.

That would leave them with enough cap space to go after a top free agent PF, while still having both Davis/Amir on the roster. They could free up more space by trading one of them (and going after a legit C to play behind Valanciunas).

I actually did say that in an earlier post, completely unrelated to Gay. I said that I would support trading AA while his value was at its highest, considering he's not in the long-term plans for the team.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I love AA, but he's making almost no money, and is playing about as well as he can. He really isn't in the long term plans, no matter how much he's bringing right now and his value might bring back something useful, be it a pick or as part of a bigger deal.

Also our team thrives on ball movement. We have players that are most effective when they get shots. Not so sure about getting Gay and him demanding a certain amount of touches.

Again no one has addressed the elephant in the room? Why bolt from a 23-10 team? For touches? Please tell me that is not the reason.

I did, several posts ago. He doesn't want to 'bolt'. He is frustrated being the #3 option and being the fans' scapegoat. It's more a matter of the team realizing a change is needed (similar to Bargnani in Toronto) and owernship wanting to lower payroll.

That would leave them with enough cap space to go after a top free agent PF, while still having both Davis/Amir on the roster. They could free up more space by trading one of them (and going after a legit C to play behind Valanciunas).

I like this. I would give up DD for Gay in a heartbeat. I honestly think that AA is the more relevant player, to the teams success. My opinion is that DD is super easy to replace.

(I like Derozan as a player, as human being, but I think Gay is much more valuable and I just don't think Derozan will ever step out of the shadows)